and with equal promptitude is told of the stratifications around the Lake Ngami, of the basaltic bed of the River Zambesi, and of a remarkable cleavage through which the river precipitates itself at one part of its course; Sir Roderick is profuse in his acknowledgments of the value of the information thus given. Some one else asks, if Dr. Livingston can tell them anything about the prospects of commerce in these regions, and receives in reply a full statement of the trading usages of the countries through which he had passed, and of their natural productions, including the sugar cane, coffee, indigo, and such minerals as copper, tin, coal, and gold; and he describes the course of a navigable river by which these products might at once be made available. A few nights afterwards Professor Owen is giving a lecture on Ivory, at the College of Surgeons; Dr. Livingston is present, and is asked to say a few words at the close of the lecture; he rises, and gives statistics to illustrate the age to which the elephant lives, the number killed annually in South Africa, and the prospects of a continuous supply of ivory being found further North. And yet this man never forgets, nor suffers his hearers to forget, that he is above all things a missionary. These contributions to science are but incidental and subordinate to the great business of his life, which is to open a way for the gospel. It was finely said by Lord Shaftesbury, speaking of his noblehearted wife, the sharer of many of his toils, that "born a Moffat, she only ceased to be so that she might become a Livingston."

Scarcely had the rejoicings for peace and banquets to the returning soldiers ceased, when we again hear of " wars and rumours of wars." The ridiculous outbreak of a few crack-brained royalists in the canton of Neufchatel threatens once more to kindle the flames of war in Europe; and when we remember the amount of combustible material ready to hand which any spark may ignite, who shall say how widely the conflagration may spread? Switzerland, politically, geographically, and ethnologically, is German, French, and Italian. The three languages are spoken in one or other of its cantons, and it touches upon each of the three countries. It will be scarcely possible for war to break out there without the adjacent countries being involved in it. And whilst war is thus threatening in the West, it has already broken out in the East. Before this Magazine is in the hands of our readers, they will probably have received intelligence of the arrival of our armament in the Persian Gulf. It is rumoured in many quarters that Russia means to support Persia in the contest. If this proves true, the peace will prove to have been but an armed truce, and the rejoicings at its advent premature. The intelligence from China, too, is far from reassuring. The Pekin Gazette is said to contain an announcement, that the Emperor of China has ceded the whole or part of Chusan (the island so foolishly relinquished by us at the close of the Chinese war) to the Russians, and that in return Russian assistance is promised to enable the Imperialists to put down the rebels. If this be true, the same policy which embroils us with Persia will probably involve us in this new tracasserie. The prospect is certainly gloomy enough — but "the Lord reigneth."

The mention of India and China suggests the operations of a society to which we would direct the attention of our readers-that for the suppression of opium smuggling, and of the East India Company's monopoly in its production and sale. The subject is one of immense importance, and upon which we intended to have spoken at some length. But a letter has appeared in the columns of "The Freeman," written evidently by one who is intimately conversant with the facts of the case, in which a view hostile to the operations of the society is taken. As the letter appears to be the first of a series, we prefer to wait until the whole question is more fully before the public.

Amongst the topics under discussion during the month, that of a revision of the authorised version of the Scriptures holds a prominent place. That the great preponderance of feeling is against the revision seems clear enough; but we would suggest to those who take part in the controversy, that there is some confusion and misunderstanding between its advocates and opponents. The great majority of those who contend for a revision-the American Bible Union, for instance-do not mean an authorised and official revision undertaken by orders of the Government, receiving its sanction, and authoritatively super

seding the existing version. Against such a project there do lie very grave and serious objections; indeed, in the present state of parties in England, it would seem absolutely impracticable. But we cannot see any objection to a non-authoritative and unofficial revision or re-translation. This, indeed, would be nothing new or strange. Few months pass by without the appearance of some portion of the sacred volume either in a new version, or with a critical commentary. We cannot but think, that if this confusion were cleared up, much of the opposition now offered to the revision movement would subside.

The St. Barnabas case has been advanced a stage, Sir John Dodson having confirmed the judgment of the court below, and pronounced the Papistical decorations of altar and chancel illegal. It is now removed to the final court, that of the Committee of Privy Council.

The Denison case seems fairly interminable. A fresh flaw in the proceedings is said to have been discovered. The Act of Elizabeth, under which he is condemned, is held to apply to his case only as Vicar of Brent, whilst as Canon of Wells and Archdeacon of Taunton, he is said to be especially exempted. This seems clearly to be the law as laid down in 'Burn's Ecclesiastical Justice," the great authority in such cases; and if this be true it may upset the whole proceedings. Altogether "The Record" has hard times of it. It finds some comfort in the recent episcopal appointments, and calls upon all good Churchmen to support Lord Palmerston's government on account of them; it is not without a malignant sort of enjoyment in heaping up all the slander and scandal it can rake together about Dissenters; but still its tone is far from triumphant. Puseyism and infidelity are ravaging and rending asunder the Establishment, and every now and then an appointment like that of the Rev. A. P. Stanley, comes in to remind it that its good fortune and happiness in the new bishops lies at the mercy of political exigencies and changes.

Two matters in connection with our body may receive a brief congratulatory notice in conclusion. 1st. That the appeal from Australia to our churches in England for sympathy and help is being responded to. It is not money they need, but men. A pioneer is going out, who, from all we learn concerning him, seems admirably adapted to his work-Mr. Taylor of Birmingham. In the charge of a large church in that town he has shown remarkable abilities of the very kind needed-namely, indomitable energy and great powers of organisation. 2nd. The acceptance of the Secretariat of the Baptist Irish Society by the Rev. C. J. Middleditch. His loss will be severely felt by the churches of the west of England, to almost all whose organisations and associations he was secretary. In the discharge of the multifarious duties thus imposed upon him he manifested a rare business tact and method, which augur well for the interests of the society, the management of whose affairs he is about to

assume.

Editorial Postscript.

WE are requested to acknowledge the receipt of £10 "for the Redeemer's cause," by Mr. H. D. Dickie, of Edinburgh, on behalf of Mr. Oncken.

The melancholy intelligence of the death of Dr. Harris, of the New College, will have reached our readers before this meets their eyes. His removal will be a serious loss, not only to our Independent brethren, but to the cause of evangelical religion in this country. Though his fatal illness was of short duration, we believe that his last appearance in public was at the opening of our College in Regent's Park a few weeks ago.

The treasurer of the Baptist Tract Society wishes us to state, that he will leave his present residence, No. 3, Newington Causeway, on the 12th of January, 1857. All communications after that period to be addressed-Mr. E. James Oliver, No. 2, Chatham Place, Walworth, Surrey. All Post-office orders to be made payable at the London Post-office.

Our next number will contain an engraving of the chapel in course of erection for the Rev. J. T. Collier, at Downton, near Salisbury ; and contributions by the Revs. Professor Gotch; D. Katterns, of London; D. Wassell, of Bath; and other Ministers.

HOME AND SCHOOL FOR THE SONS AND ORPHANS OF MISSIONARIES.

THE engraving on our first page will give our readers a general idea of this edifice, the inscription stone of which was laid by the Earl of Shaftesbury, at Blackheath, November 27th, 1856. It will be interesting to them all to possess some information of the origin of this institution, which is not only a good school where the children receive a sound and useful education, but is a home for them as well. Those children who may not have friends in this country to receive them during the vacations, are permitted to remain without extra charge, and their holidays are made as agreeable to them as circumstances will allow; in a word, it is for a time truly their HOME.

This institution was commenced in 1842, was much interrupted in its progress for the first ten years, but attained its present more consolidated and organised position about four years ago. A want had long been felt by missionaries, of a suitable home and school in their native land to which their children might be sent, where they would be cared for by sympathising friends, and their own interest in missions excited and sustained. The depressing influence of tropical climates, and the still more unfavourable influences of heathen customs and idolatry, and the absence of suitable schools in the countries where their parents labour, require that they should be sent, at an early age, to England. It is a great relief therefore to the anxious parent to know that his children are not only committed to the care of competent and pious instructors, but that the secretaries of the leading societies, and friends connected with them, take the oversight of the institution, and endeavour, as far as possible, to supply the absent parents' place.

During the past four years two houses have been occupied in Mornington Crescent; but owing to the increasing number of applications more room was required, and it was thought by the committee desirable to erect a building designed expressly for the purpose. If the necessary funds could be obtained, not only would the object be more perfectly secured, but a large saving in rent would accrue. The design was announced, funds came in, and the committee felt themselves justified in carrying it out. After many inquiries, with many disappointments, and very much trouble, an eligible piece of ground was secured at Blackheath, near the railway station; and it is hoped that the building will be ready to receive the pupils by next midsummer. Accommodation will be provided for one hundred; whereas at present the committee have not been able to receive, with comfort, more than forty.

Seventy-one pupils have been received since 1852, and, with very few exceptions, all these have completed their education in it. This fact shows how truly satisfied our missionary brethren are with the institution. Many more than those in the house are expected daily, and applications continue to be made. In order to keep pace with them, no other course was open to the committee but the one which they have adopted. To carry it into full effect, they will require at least £4,000 beyond what they have received. They have no fears about the ultimate realization of the amount, though immediate difficulty will be experienced. It is hoped, however, that donations will flow in, and we shall be happy to receive any contributions from friends who may read these lines.

Such is the nature, and such are the objects and present prospects, of the Home and School for Missionaries, the erection of which friends met to

commence on the 27th of November last. The pupils were placed in a conspicuous space, and after singing a hymn, and prayer by Rev. J. C. Harrison, Dr. Tidman, in compliance with the request of the committee, gave a brief account of the origin and progress of the institution, and after enforcing the claims of it on some such grounds as those which we have brought forward, proceeded to observe that not only was a good English education imparted, but the elements of Greek, Latin, and Mathematics; that the institution was not denominational, for it united not only Baptists and Pædo-Baptists, but the children of any evangelical missionary, of any country, and of any name, would be eligible for admis sion. This is most important, is a great advance on the plans of preceding times, and to which we invite the special attention of our friends. Moreover, this institution is not a charitable one in the usual sense of that word. The larger portion of the expense of the education of the pupils falls on their parents; what remains being met by the annual subscriptions. The parents are assisted so far; but the main thing to which they look is that the school is a HOME. We understand that the Directors of the London Mission have voted £200 in token of their goodwill. A similar sum can hardly be expected from our Society, with so much smaller an income; but we do hope that a handsome vote will be made.

The documents to be deposited in the stone having been read by the treasurer, Thomas Spalding, Esq., the trowel was handed to Lord Shaftesbury by N. Griffiths, Esq., treasurer to the Building Fund, and he, having first laid the stone with the customary formalities, congratulated the friends assembled on the issue of the proceedings of the day.

The Home feature of this institution seems to be regarded by all as one of its most attractive and important. On this point Lord Shaftesbury dwelt with his usual kindness and force. Among other topics he observed, "Institutions such as this cannot be considered as establishments of mere benevolence. I look upon them as institutions founded in right, justice, and necessity. The labourer is worthy of his hire, and one part of his hire is, that where he gives up the enjoyment of home comforts in order to discharge certain great duties, those who call him to surrender those comforts and discharge those duties must supply those things which, by the position he occupies, he is not able to obtain for himself. It is, I say, a matter of great justice, and not an eleemosynary affair. If you were to take that view of it, you would much degrade the institution, and enfeeble the moral position and dignity of your own missions. Just consider what an effect this home and school must produce upon the missionaries themselves by allaying some of their deepest anxieties. And how necessary this is will be apparent when you recollect how many and peculiar are the causes of their anxiety owing to the position in which they are placed. In their case there is added to the ordinary degree of mortality a large waste of health and strength consequent upon an exhausting climate. Then there are actual diseases with which they may be beset, and the wear and tear of mind in the discharge of their high and solemn duties; so that many of them become true martyrs, and find an early grave. And when the missionary reflects upon these things, if he has to feel, in addition, that, when he shall be taken away, there is no provision made for the support of his wife and children, the cankering care of such a thought must of necessity do much to unfit him for his work, and prevent his going forward in that